Christmas Light Pattern Activity

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Looking for a fun Christmas toddler learning activity?  This Christmas Light Pattern Activity is so fun for little ones!

This was the first time I formally introduced patterns to my toddlers (they’re 2 1/2) so I wanted to do something hands on and fun.  That’s why we did this Christmas light pattern activity.

I always talk about patterns in day to day life with my twins when I see them (for example stripes on their shirt).

But this was our first real activity with patterns.

I had them do painting with the patterns because they love painting!  And since it’s the holidays, I decided to make Christmas lights so it was something engaging and relatable.  

This activity was simple to set up, and kept my toddlers busy and learning!  Even if they didn’t get the full concept, it’s still an introduction and they can take this knowledge and use it the next time we do patterns.

This is a fun activity to talk about patterns and also do something fun (paint!).

Setting Up the Christmas Light Pattern Activity:

I drew some Christmas lights on a big long piece of paper and taped it to the table.

Then I talked to my toddlers about the pattern on the paper.

I said “red, green, red, green…”  and pointed to the lights as I went along.  I did a simple AB pattern for their first introduction to patterns.   

Then I would point to the red Christmas light and say to them, “What comes next?”

This was a very basic introduction and if they got it great, if they didn’t we just moved on.

I then made my own little brushes with some bag clips and cotton balls and poured some washable paint (affiliate link) on a piece of cardboard (easy clean up).

I thought they could dip the cotton balls in the paint and it would make a round light bulb-like shape.  That happened in the beginning of the activity, then they just started painting and smearing it everywhere – which is totally expected from 2 year olds!

I guided my twins a little once they started painting, but then just let them paint however they wanted.

One of them was really into the patterns, and the other one just wanted to smear the paint everywhere!  My twins really are opposites. 

Supplies needed for the Christmas Tree Pattern Activity:

• Large roll of paper 
• Painters Tape
• Markers (black, red, and green or other colors you want to do a pattern with)
• Paint brushes, or bag clips and cotton balls
• Washable Paint

You could differentiate this activity for an older child or a child familiar with patterns by doing more complex patterns such as ABC (example: red, blue, green – repeat), ABB (ex: red, green, green – repeat), or ABCD (ex: red, green, blue, yellow – repeat).

This activity really was a great introduction to patterns in a way that was engaging and hands-on.

My toddlers loved this painting activity, and I hope your child enjoys it, too!

Will you try this Christmas Light Pattern with your child?

Related: 

Toddler Math Shape Matching

Fall Leaf Sorting Activity

Family Christmas Traditions